If you could be anything, what would it be?

“If you could be anything in the world, what would it be?”

” A ballerina,” I said at five.

“A scientist,” I said when I was eight.

“A writer,” when I was nine.

“A fashion designer, a lawyer, a dancer, a journalist.”

At 22, this question still puzzles me. I always imagined this question was something that I would have figured out by the time I was an “adult.” Four years later, I still have no idea.

The question, what do you want to be, has nothing to do with a career. We tell ourselves that because it’s an easy answer. If we pick a career path, everything works itself out. Right? 

Four years ago I thought I would have everything figured out. I had my entire life planned. Now, I  have no idea where I am going to be in five months. I could be anywhere in the world. If I’m lucky, I’ll be a reporter somewhere, starting my career. If not… well, I’ll still be a reporter, just not getting paid for it.

The uncertainty of not knowing where I am going to be in a few months has made me realize the amazing opportunity I have. I can be anything or anyone I want to be. And the best thing of all is that I don’t have to decide who I want to be. I can just be.

So next time someone asks me that annoying question, “what you’re doing when you graduate,” I’ll shrug my shoulders, smile and say, “where ever the wind takes me.”